(From the SMART team director, Sat 5/30/2009)
Dear Family and Friends,
It’s difficult to believe that three weeks are almost behind us and only one week to go. We have a few minutes today and the power is on … so we wanted to give you a report on these past few days.
El Salvador is definitely different in every way than Guyana. Spanish is the spoken language and all of your young people who have any Spanish at all are getting to use it. Nothing else works … and it is great experience for the team.
We didn’t get in to the Charters who live about 2 hours from the airport until about 1 or 2 a.m. on Tuesday, 5/26, morning. The guys are staying at the Charters and we/and the girls are staying in a private home with an older couple. Tuesday was spent sleeping in a bit to recoup, and then unpack and reorganize. You should have seen us at the airports … one in Guyana trying to get all the guys’ luggage into one piece. Then in Trinidad, stuffing things in backpacks, etc. right in the corner of the airport. So Tuesday was interesting, but we are regrouped and organized now. We eat all our meals at the Charters, help to prepare, clean up and do laundry.
This part of the trip has been full of physical work projects. The guys are building some moving cabinets at the church and cubbies for the nursery. Cassy is using her graphic design experience and will be working on some banners for each of the classes in the church. Bethany and Faith are using their artistic abilities to paint many animals and a Noah’s Ark in the church nursery … something that the Charters’ oldest son started … very talented. All four girls and myself have taken turns on Wednesday, 5/27, and then Thursday and Friday … Cassy and Rebecca and I … deep cleaning all of their MANY windows, screens and the window wells throughout their home. It is a hard job and we still have another full day of work before it will be completed, but it is a blessing to do this for them so they can enjoy their home and be free to home school, minister in their church and do things for others.
Friday, 5/29, night was a huge youth activity. Well planned … the team members gave their ideas for skits and things that might work. The team gave wordless bracelets to everyone in attendance. Last count was about 88. Kevin shared his testimony via an interpreter and did very well. The four girls sang a song in Spanish and English. Ted and Kevin helped with setup and change things throughout the night and all the team served pizza to the crowd. It was a blessing and many decisions were made for the Lord.
This morning, Saturday, 5/30, the team cleaned the church, sat in a soulwinning class and went to the open market to pass out Gospel of John and Romans and tracts. About 1,000 were handed out to willing people.
Sunday moring, 5/31, all will be sitting in classes tomorrow observing and helping where they can. Some may be playing a special on the keyboard … they have a full keyboard with a sustain peddle … very nice. But we will see. Monday, 6/1, will be sightseeing and souvenir shopping … Tuesday, 6/2, possibly a trip to the Capital City to learn more about the country. Wednesday, 6/3, through Friday, 6/5, will be spent completing work projects and getting ready for Summer Bible Olympics to be held in a big 4 hour one day event on Saturday, 6/6. Please do be in prayer for that.
All are doing well and continue to learn much. Pray for each team member that the Lord will reveal many things to them as they continue to seek His Leading in their lives.
You ARE appreciated greatly. And each one of you can be VERY PROUD of each team member. We certainly are! They are a cut above the rest. In spite of all they have had to do and … we are rough on them at times … on purpose, they have done so well.
Have a blessed day and thank you for your patience with the NO POWER and schedule last week.
The last report will come to you next Friday, 6/5, Lord Willing!
Finding Where We Fit In Missions
6/2/09 by Rebecca Pritchett